Italy: the country that breathes art. Milan: the city that sells fashion. Yet neither can boast being the home of top models, which in Italy can be counted on one hand. Sure, there was Benedetta Barzini in the sixties, Carla Bruni in the nineties and now the likes of Maria Carla Boscono and Bianca Balti, but despite the fact Italy is not exactly a country lacking in beauties, it is so in models. They are the exceptions to the rule, rare and scattered like decades on a rosary.

The reason is perhaps purely cultural. In Italy the image of modelling is damaged, associated with certain prejudices and a lack of information that makes it unappealing to would-be models, who instead choose to pursue work in cinema or TV. They want to become a new Sophia Loren, not a Giselle Bundchen. Even the mothers that push their daughters towards ‘Miss’ competitions or the soubrette (often as a way of fulfilling the dreams of their youth) don’t seem tempted to encourage their daughters to consider modelling. All this reflects that fact that modelling is not considered a constructive use of time, that it’s even a waste. Yet to be a model is a serious and professional career choice for people who are not only required to have great physical beauty, but commitment, determination and energy – not to mention other intrinsic values that are also necessary: savoir-faire, culture, charm, personal appeal and style.

Photo courtesy of Marilove

Considering the premise that the value of being a model in Italy has diminished, the few Italian models in existence therefore deserve to be celebrated – they rare gems in an ocean of foreign models. Representing their whole country, they are beautiful, engaging girls who, with tenacity and patience, are sailing against the current; even though most of them were first noticed and booked abroad as opposed to in their country. It is said “no one is a prophet in his homeland” but perhaps this is changing and can be debunked when we think about some of the beautiful – and surprising – collaborations that have come out of Italy between designers and muses. Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy chose Greta Varlese as his muse. Dolce and Gabbana had Vittoria Ceretti. Yet still both of these were discovered outside Italy at the Elle Model Look, held in Shenzhen, China.

In New York, the ethereal beauty of Anna Gretel Zanovello, a classical dancer as well as a model, is papered all over the city following her campaign with Lacoste. And one of the biggest networks has just signed another Italian, Lalindaa, also known as Linda Morselli, the fiancée of Valentino Rossi. She too is a stunning beauty worthy of many compliments. Matilda Lutz was also chosen for a main role in the sequel of the film The Ring, her transition from model to actress unexpectedly opening the doors for others wishing to break in to American cinema, for example Giulia Manin (another brunette beauty and favourite of Dolce and Gabbana); Roberta Cardenio, who walks catwalks all over the world; Chiara Mazzoleni, who recently landed a role in ‘Dazed and Confused’; as well as other young hopefuls such as Serena Bows and Beatrice Brusco. Finally the babyface stars Vittoria Pitre, Benedetta Casaluci, and Beatrice Bano also have projects under development.

Photo courtesy of Marilove

Italian models are the veins originating from the heart of the artistic world, Italy, who has been the centre of culture and genius for centuries and centuries. It is said that the heritage of each of us is inherently linked to a universal whole and it is that innate part that unites us and serves as a means of expressing who we are and what we stand for. Our values are essentially all the same and, even if we forget this, we are born in spirit before we are born in matter. We are transcending the prejudices that bind us, and in doing so we express our potential. Italian girls should be inspired by this immense resource they have inherited, the resource of Italian civilization, and not by the prejudices of our times.

Here’s a message of celebration in the hope that the characteristics of Italian style, beauty and art will be recovered by valuable and talented women. Girls are born to be successful.

Italy: the country that breathes art. Milan: the city that sells fashion. Yet neither can boast being the home of top models, which in Italy can be counted on one hand. Sure, there was Benedetta Barzini in the sixties, Carla Bruni in the nineties and now the likes of Maria Carla Boscono and Bianca Balti, but despite the fact Italy is not exactly a country lacking in beauties, it is so in models. They are the exceptions to the rule, rare and scattered like decades on a rosary.

The reason is perhaps purely cultural. In Italy the image of modelling is damaged, associated with certain prejudices and a lack of information that makes it unappealing to would-be models, who instead choose to pursue work in cinema or TV. They want to become a new Sophia Loren, not a Giselle Bundchen. Even the mothers that push their daughters towards ‘Miss’ competitions or the soubrette (often as a way of fulfilling the dreams of their youth) don’t seem tempted to encourage their daughters to consider modelling. All this reflects that fact that modelling is not considered a constructive use of time, that it’s even a waste. Yet to be a model is a serious and professional career choice for people who are not only required to have great physical beauty, but commitment, determination and energy – not to mention other intrinsic values that are also necessary: savoir-faire, culture, charm, personal appeal and style.

Photo courtesy of Marilove

Considering the premise that the value of being a model in Italy has diminished, the few Italian models in existence therefore deserve to be celebrated – they rare gems in an ocean of foreign models. Representing their whole country, they are beautiful, engaging girls who, with tenacity and patience, are sailing against the current; even though most of them were first noticed and booked abroad as opposed to in their country. It is said “no one is a prophet in his homeland” but perhaps this is changing and can be debunked when we think about some of the beautiful – and surprising – collaborations that have come out of Italy between designers and muses. Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy chose Greta Varlese as his muse. Dolce and Gabbana had Vittoria Ceretti. Yet still both of these were discovered outside Italy at the Elle Model Look, held in Shenzhen, China.

In New York, the ethereal beauty of Anna Gretel Zanovello, a classical dancer as well as a model, is papered all over the city following her campaign with Lacoste. And one of the biggest networks has just signed another Italian, Lalindaa, also known as Linda Morselli, the fiancée of Valentino Rossi. She too is a stunning beauty worthy of many compliments. Matilda Lutz was also chosen for a main role in the sequel of the film The Ring, her transition from model to actress unexpectedly opening the doors for others wishing to break in to American cinema, for example Giulia Manin (another brunette beauty and favourite of Dolce and Gabbana); Roberta Cardenio, who walks catwalks all over the world; Chiara Mazzoleni, who recently landed a role in ‘Dazed and Confused’; as well as other young hopefuls such as Serena Bows and Beatrice Brusco. Finally the babyface stars Vittoria Pitre, Benedetta Casaluci, and Beatrice Bano also have projects under development.

Photo courtesy of Marilove

Italian models are the veins originating from the heart of the artistic world, Italy, who has been the centre of culture and genius for centuries and centuries. It is said that the heritage of each of us is inherently linked to a universal whole and it is that innate part that unites us and serves as a means of expressing who we are and what we stand for. Our values are essentially all the same and, even if we forget this, we are born in spirit before we are born in matter. We are transcending the prejudices that bind us, and in doing so we express our potential. Italian girls should be inspired by this immense resource they have inherited, the resource of Italian civilization, and not by the prejudices of our times.

Here’s a message of celebration in the hope that the characteristics of Italian style, beauty and art will be recovered by valuable and talented women. Girls are born to be successful.